Medicinal cannabis protesters block gateway to Leinster House

People Before Profit is calling for a relaxing of the laws relating to access to medicinal cannabis. Video: Enda O'Dowd

Vera Twomey and her supporters carry out a sit-down protest for rights to medicinal cannabis at the gates of Leinster House in Dublin on Thursday afternoon. Photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times

Protesters for rights to medicinal cannabis blocked the gateway to Leinster House on Thursday afternoon, preventing any cars parked inside to leave the complex.

The sit-down protest by Vera Twomey and supporters is part of a campaign to establish availability of the drug for medicinal purposes.

Ms Twomey earlier this year walked from Cork to Dublin to highlight the case of her daughter, whose condition she says has hugely improved since taking medicinal cannabis, which is not legal in Ireland.

Began a vigil

She began a vigil outside the gates of Leinster House earlier this week, asking to meet Minister for Health Simon Harris.